Post-brace.



D. HOUDYSHELL.

POST BRAGE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE4,1908.

X Q U x Q Q Q x Q X -m m Witness WW UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE.

DAVID HOUDYSHELL, OF PONETO, INDIANA.

POST-BRACE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAvm Iio'uDYsnnrL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poneto, in the county of i/Vells and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usc ful Improvements in Post-Braces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to posts, such as are 'enerall utilized in the erection of fencesand for analogous purposes; the object of the invention being to provide a post that may be advantageously used at corners as well as at intermediate points of fences, and which shall be securely braced so as to prevent sagging or displacement of the post under the strain to which it v. ill be subjected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a post with a brace which, in the event of sagging, may be manipulated so as to restore the post to an upright position, thus correcting the sagging of the fence.

Further objects of the invention are to simplify and improve the construction and operation of this class of devices.

With these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which w ill be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention; it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the invention may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawingFigure 1 is a side elevation showing a fence post constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

Corresponding parts in both figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The post 5 may be constructed of any suitable and appropriate material, such as wood, metal or natural or artificial stone. In the drawing has been represented an ordinary Wooden post of suitable dimensions to enable it to be set the requisite depth in the round where it is secured by packing the irt around it in the usual manner. The post 5 is provided a short distance above the ground with a transverse aperture 6, and in one side of the post, a suitable distance Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 4, 1908.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

Serial No. 436,669.

above the ground, is formed an upwardly and in-:'.'ardly inclined recess or socket 7, shich latter, as tell as the aperture 6, may easily be formed by boring uith an ordinary auger uhen the post is made of wood, or molding or in any other convenient manner when the post is made of other material than wood.

The post is equipped with a brace composed of an inclined tubular member B, and a horizontal base member C, the latter being composed of a metal rod having a screw threaded portion 8 that extends through the aperture 6 of the post and provided at its opposite extremity with an upturned terminal hook 9. The threaded end of the brace rod C is equipped v. ith a tightening nut 10 bearng against a washer 11 which is interposed betueen said nut and the side of the post the tubular brace member B, has one end inserted into the inclined recess or socket 7 of the post, while the opposite, lower end of said brace member receives the upturned hook 9 of the brace rod C.

It will be seen that by simply tightening the nut 10 the parts will be very securely and ofliciently assembled. It v. ill further be seen that, the parts of the device having been as scmbled, by further tightening the nut 10, the brace rod C, which constitutes the base of the post bracing device will be moved in the direction of its length to shorten the said base, the diagonal of which consisting of the member B, remains of unimpaired length, thus pushing against the post and assisting to correct any tendency toward tilting or sagging that may be exhibited in the post under the strain to which it is subjected.

The tubular brace member B may consist of a length of metal pipe, such as ordinary gas pipe of suitable dimensions; but it is preferred that said tubular brace member be composed of two sections 12 and 13, connected b a sleeve or union 14, which engages rigfit and left hand threads 15, 15, at the proximate ends of said pipe sections, for the reason that under such construction the length of the tubular brace member is capa ble of adjustment by simply rotating the sleeve or union 14 by means of an ordinary pipe wrench.

In erecting a post there is placed beneath the outer hooked end of the rod C a supporting member D, which may consist of a block of wood, stone, metal or other suitable material; said block may be of any desired shape and dimensions provided that it has a flat level upper face 16, upon which one or mor plates or Washers 17 may be placed, said washers being interposed between the supporting memberD and the outer extremity of the brace member C.

The manner of constructing and erecting the improved post will be very readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the drawing hereto annexed. The said post may be used in connection with fences constructed of wire or other material. If, under the strain of the weight or tension to which it is subjected the post should become tilted from its initial upright position, thus causing the fence to sag, such displacement may be corrected, and the post be quickly restored to its initial position by placing plates or washers 17 upon the supporting block D, it being understood that such washers are generally utilized only in order to correct displacement or sagging of the fence. Such plates or washers may very easily be placed in position by first loosening the nut 10 sufficiently to enable the parts to be properly manipulated. The tendency to sag may also be corrected and counteracted by simply adjusting the sleeve or union 14 to force the tubular pipe members 13 apart from each other, thusincreasing the length of the diagonal member of the brace, and ob viously forcing the upper end of the post back to its initial position.

This improved post and brace is extremely simple in construction and is capable of being manufactured and put up at the place where it is to be utilized without the use of other than the simplest and commonest tools or implements, such as are to be found on every farm.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A fence post having a horizontal aperture adjacent to and above the ground-line and an inclined socket in the side thereof a suitable distance above the ground-line, in

combination with an extensible and adjustable tubular brace having its upper end seated in the inclined socket, said brace being composed of two members having right and left-hand threaded ends connected by a union consisting of a right and left-hand threaded sleeve; and a tightening rod eX- tenerng through the horizontal aperture of the post and having at one end a hook engaging the lower end of the tubular brace, and at the other end a nut and washer hearing against the post whereby, by adjusting the union, the length of the tubular brace may be regulated, and by tightening the nut the assembled parts may be securely tightened.

2. A fence post having a horizontal aperture aal acent to and above the ground-line and inclined socket in the side thereof a suitable distance above the ground-line, in combination with an extensible and ad justable tubular brace having its upper end seated in the inclined socket, said brace being composed of two members having right and left-hand. threaded ends connected by a union consisting of a right and left-hand,

threaded sleeve; and a tightening rod extending through the horizontal aperture of the post and having at one end a hook engaging the lower end of the tubular brace, and at the other end a nut and washer bearing against the post whereby, by adjusting the union, the length of the tubular brace may be regulated, and by tightening the nut the assembled parts may be securely tightened; and supporting means for the hooked end of the tightening rod consisting of a block bedded in the ground, and a plurality of washers interposed between the block and the hooked end of the rod.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID HOUDYSHELL. Witnesses LEVI Mock, JOHN ULEOK. 

